List of largest recorded music markets


The world's largest recorded music markets are listed annually by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. The ranking is based on the retail value each market generates per year; retail value generated by each market varies from year to year. As all financial data is given in US dollars, annual rates of change for all countries other than the United States are heavily influenced by exchange rate fluctuations, as well as by actual changes in revenue in local currency terms.
The information presented on this page only accounts for revenue generated from the recorded music industry, and is not reflective of the entirety of the music industry, including sectors such as publishing, live music, etc.
The United States has remained the biggest market for recorded music in IFPI history, except in 2010 when Japan topped the list. Japan has always stayed within the top two, while the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada have consistently appeared among the top ten music markets throughout IFPI history. Other countries historically having appeared in the top ten include Australia, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, China, Mexico, and Russia.

IFPI annual data

2005–2009

In 2006, Russia entered the top ten for the first time, staying for three years, with the highest rank at number 9 in both 2007 and 2008.

1995–1999

This period saw an all-time peak of Brazil's music industry, reaching retail sales of $1.4 billion in 1996. In 1998, the UK surpassed Germany for the first time as the world's third largest music market.

Statistics

CountryGeographical
region		Top 10 appearances
Latest year
in the top 10		Highest
rank
United StatesNorth America3420241
JapanAsia3420241
United KingdomEurope3420243
GermanyEurope3420243
FranceEurope3420244
CanadaNorth America3220246
AustraliaOceania3120236
ItalyEurope2020217
BrazilSouth America1820246
NetherlandsEurope1520207
SpainEurope1420097
South KoreaAsia1220246
ChinaAsia820245
MexicoNorth America720248
RussiaEurope / Asia320089